An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Point of Care Testing (POCT) team based at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Although this post is primarily based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital the successful candidate may be expected to carry out work at other sites when required.
This is an exciting opportunity to take on a role that has been developed as part of the ongoing Trust POCT improvement initiative. We are looking for an individual on a full time basis who has experience working within a Pathology Laboratory or working with POCT devices and methods in a Healthcare setting.
Suitable candidates will require a r elevant professional/scientific qualification to degree level or higher, c urrent registration with HCPC and a Post Graduate Diploma (IBMS Specialist portfolio or equivalent).
The intended working hours for this position are 8:30am-4:30pm.
The post holder will work as part of the Departmental and Multidisciplinary Teams maintaining good lines of communication and promoting a strong commitment to the department. The principal duty of the post holder will be to provide first line support to operators and departments that use point of care testing (POCT) equipment in order to facilitate safe POCT practice throughout the Trust whilst monitoring and facilitating the correct functioning of all POCT devices. The post holder will also oversee the activity of Support Workers and Associate Practitioners within the POCT Team. Additional duties will be undertaken as directed by the Point of Care Testing Lead in consultation with the post holder.
As a teaching hospital and an organisation committed to continuous learning, we offer a broad range of education and training to staff and students/trainees/other learners. All post holders are expected to fulfil mandatory training requirements, engage in continuous learning and support education and training of others commensurate to their role.
Our Point of Care Testing (POCT) team is a small, friendly, and approachable group dedicated to supporting operators across the organisation. We work closely with clinical teams to ensure POCT equipment is used safely, effectively, and in line with quality standards. From training and competency assessment to troubleshooting, quality assurance, and day-to-day advice, we provide practical support that helps staff deliver timely and reliable patient care. Our collaborative approach ensures operators feel confident, supported, and valued whenever they need assistance. This is an exciting time to join an evolving team which is now part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Pathology Service.
Please also refer to the attached job description for full details.
Summary of Main Duties and Responsibilities
- To liaise and work with all members of the POCT team and support the services across the client (Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) sites.
- To monitor and plan own workload.
- To participate in meetings related to POCT e.g. POCT Team huddles and services review meetings, liaison with Ward Managers / Key Trainers, POCT Group.
- To provide training sessions to end-users within various departments at the client site to promote safe and effective patient care in relation to POCT.
To facilitate safe POCT practice by educating and promoting end-user compliance with POCT Standard Operating Procedures.
To facilitate safe POCT practice by educating and promoting end-user compliance with POCT Standard Operating Procedures.
To monitor performance of POCT devices and facilitate correct functioning by undertaking minor maintenance and troubleshooting procedures.
- To implement new equipment via change control prior to routine use.
- To monitor POCT standards via audit and evidence-based practice and implement lessons learned.
- To monitor POCT analyser performance via Internal quality control (IQC) and External Quality Assurance (EQA) which may include manipulation of material and use of fine tools including pipettes.
- To participate in the validation and verification of new POCT equipment or retrospective verification of POCT equipment already in use.
- To participate in the testing and evaluation of new or prospective POCT equipment.
To support the implementation of the policies and procedures authorised and ratified by the Medical Devices Steering Committee.
- To promote POCT quality and safety regulations and directives enabling the Trust to meet the requirements of: MHRA guidelines, ISO15189 standards and other relevant standards (e.g. CQC).
